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    • Coventry's Measured First Year at the IOC Helm

      IOC
      30 Dec 2025, 16:45 from InsideTheGames
      Organization mentioned: IOC

      Kirsty Coventry's first year as IOC president has been marked by a 'Pause and Reflection' period, leading to structural reforms like the 'Ready for the Future' initiative and dedicated working groups focused on youth games, the Olympic program, commercial partnerships, and athlete welfare. She has prioritized listening to members, reassessing processes like host city selection, and strengthening ties with key partners like China. Key decisions include ending collaboration with Saudi Arabia for the Olympic Esports Games and allowing Individual Neutral Athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete at Milano Cortina 2026. The upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar represent significant tests for her administration.

    • Hexagon World Series Launched, Boosting Padel's Olympic Aspirations

      IOC
      27 Dec 2025, 17:19 from InsideTheGames

      A new team padel circuit, the Hexagon World Series, has been officially launched through a collaboration between the Hexagon Cup, 54 Group, and the International Padel Federation (FIP). This series, fully integrated into the FIP calendar, aims to expand padel's global reach and strengthen its bid for inclusion in the Olympic Games. The initiative, backed by significant investment from 54 Group, will feature mixed-gender teams and equal prize money, complementing existing tours like Premier Padel. Details regarding the format, teams, and schedule will be released in 2026.

    • IOC Criticized for Samaranch's Missteps Regarding Iranian Women Athletes

      IOC
      27 Dec 2025, 05:39 from SportsIn
      Organization mentioned: IOC

      A report details how Juan Antonio Samaranch, during his tenure at the International Olympic Committee (IOC, 458), miscalculated the political role of Islam and appeased Iranian authorities, inadvertently legitimizing restrictions on Iranian women athletes. Initiatives like the Islamic Women’s Games, supported by Samaranch and Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, reinforced strict Islamic regulations rather than promoting women's freedom in sport. The report highlights decades of discrimination against Iranian women in sports following the 1979 Revolution and criticizes the IOC's failure to adequately address the issue.

    • Tennis Faces Wave of Suspensions for Corruption and Doping

      IOC
      26 Dec 2025, 17:07 from InsideTheGames

      The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has announced numerous suspensions of tennis players in December 2025, stemming from corruption and doping violations. Notable cases include Maikel Villalona (4.5-year suspension), Pang Renlong (12-year suspension), Quentin Folliot (20-year suspension), and provisional suspensions for Juan Sebastian Dominguez Collado and Jessica Eudovic due to clostebol presence. These suspensions highlight ongoing efforts to combat match-fixing and doping within the sport.

    • IOC Faces Scrutiny Over Ser Miang Ng's Influence on Olympic Esports

      IOC
      22 Dec 2025, 21:44 from SportsIn

      Leaked documents reveal potential conflicts of interest involving IOC member Ser Miang Ng and his influence on the inclusion of Virtual Taekwondo within the Olympic Esports Games. Ng's family connections to companies benefiting from esports-related decisions have sparked controversy, alongside a $20 million financial shortfall and loss of Saudi sponsorship. This situation raises concerns about the governance of esports within the Olympic movement and contrasts with the efforts of IESF president Vlad Marinescu to establish robust regulatory frameworks.

    • Olympic Summit Lifts Restrictions on Russian and Belarusian Youth Athletes

      IOC
      20 Dec 2025, 00:17 from SportsIn
      Organization mentioned: IOC

      The Olympic Summit has reaffirmed the right of all athletes, including youth athletes from Russia and Belarus, to compete without political restrictions. Following IOC recommendations, restrictions imposed on these athletes in international youth competitions have been lifted, allowing them to participate without additional eligibility requirements. Standard protocols regarding flags, anthems, and uniforms will apply, and government officials from Russia and Belarus remain barred from international sporting events.

    • Russia's Gradual Return to International Sport Gains Momentum

      IOC
      19 Dec 2025, 21:24 from InsideTheGames
      Organizations mentioned: IJF , IOC

      The Kremlin is signaling a resurgence in Russia's participation in international sports, citing dialogue with the IOC and various federations. Following FIDE's decision to readmit Russia, and with similar moves by the International Judo Federation and the International Sambo Federation, Russia is seeing a gradual lifting of restrictions. While the Russian Olympic Committee remains suspended and Russia is barred from hosting major events, several federations are allowing Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags and anthems. The IOC is also reviewing its neutrality standards, acknowledging the need for clarification and emphasizing the importance of athletes' access to competition without political interference, though implementation will vary by federation.

    • Skate Canada Boycotts Alberta Over Transgender Athlete Policies

      IOC
      19 Dec 2025, 00:26 from InsideTheGames
      Organization mentioned: IOC

      Skate Canada has announced it will not host national or international events in Alberta due to the province's Fairness and Safety in Sport Act, which restricts transgender athlete participation. The act requires proof of sex at birth, a policy Skate Canada deems incompatible with its own inclusive standards. Alberta's Premier has criticized the decision, while the International Olympic Committee continues to work on establishing eligibility criteria for transgender athletes.

    • Brisbane 2032: Coventry's Test of Olympic Evolution

      IOC
      18 Dec 2025, 16:22 from SportsIn

      With Kirsty Coventry at the helm of the IOC, Brisbane 2032 represents a crucial test of her vision for a more open, democratic, and adaptable Olympic Games. Following Los Angeles 2028's lead, Brisbane is considering new sports like beach lifesaving, touch football, karate, netball, padel, snooker, and lawn bowls, prioritizing global appeal, youth engagement, cost-efficiency, and suitability for both traditional and digital media. The focus is on sports that resonate with urban culture and attract younger audiences, while Coventry aims to balance flexibility with maintaining a strong Olympic identity.

    • AIU Chair Warns Anti-Doping System 'Stalled'

      IOC
      17 Dec 2025, 20:22 from InsideTheGames

      David Howman, chair of the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), has cautioned that the current anti-doping system is failing to detect elite cheats and needs significant improvements. Speaking at the World Conference on Doping in Sport in Busan, South Korea, Howman highlighted the increasing number of disciplinary cases alongside athletes finding ways to evade testing. He called for closer collaboration, enhanced scientific research, and a shift from mere compliance to effective anti-doping efforts to restore credibility and protect clean athletes. Recent high-profile suspensions of athletes like Ruth Chepngetich and Fred Kerley underscore the ongoing challenge.

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Updated: 16:30 on 1 January 2026